RONALDINHO adopted Lionel Messi as a younger brother and the pair were part of a family group with Deco, reveals Xavi.
The Spain legend has shed light on the bond between the South American pair during their five years together at Barcelona.
Ronaldinho adopted Lionel Messi as a younger brother at BarcaCredit: PA:Press Association
Between 2003 and 2008, Brazilian trickster Ronaldinho was virtually unstoppable and forged a deadly partnership with Messi towards the end of that period.
They shared a dressing room for four seasons, going on to win two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy in 2006.
When the Brazilian ace arrived at the Nou Camp, a teenage Messi was making his way through the ranks at Barca’s academy, La Masia, and the pair quickly became friends.
Xavi, who spent 17 years with the La Liga giants, saw a family bond forge between the two stars and Portugal midfielder Deco.
On Esporte Espetacular, the Spain metronome said: “When Ronaldinho was 26, Messi started training, he was 16, 17 years old.
“They had a good relationship: Leo, Deco and Ronaldinho. As a very good family group and Ronaldinho, like everyone else, saw that Messi had something special.
“You could already see that when he was 16, Ronaldinho adopted Messi as a little brother and they had a very good relationship. Ronaldinho helped him a lot.
“We all helped him, but Ronaldinho did as the best player in the world.
“Also a teenage boy sees that the best in the world is welcoming you as a member of the family. This helped Leo a lot to be where he is now.
“Evidently Leo is the best in the world and could have been the same, but this helped him to have a good relationship in the locker room with everyone.”
At Barca, Ronaldinho won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2004 and 2005.
But since hanging up his boots, the toothy Brazilian has struggled to settle into retirement and currently finds himself locked in a Paraguayan prison on suspicion of entering the country with a false passport.
Messi has won six Ballon d’Ors/FIFA World Player of the Year awards, and has won four Champions Leagues and a whopping ten LaLiga titles.
The current Barca captain scored 24 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions this season before football was suspended due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
